A: Poured a murky, chocolate-colored brown with a two-finger head of beige foam that dissipated somewhat quickly, but could easily be roused with a swirl of the glass. Retention wasn't bad and carbonation reflected off the opaque brew.

S: One of the nuttiest, most roasted porter I think I've ever smelled. I imagine this is what the Planters peanut factory smells like on a cool fall night. Hazelnut, pecan and roasted peanut shells allow you to ease into the brew with a truly inviting aroma.

T: Slightly milky and acidic malt flavor hit the tongue first, throwing hints of herbal notes into the lightly roasted malt bill. The essence of Nutella chimes in a bit but is leveled by the cooked veggie flavors of roasted corn on the cob. The finish is slightly acidic with a bitter, mellow sweetness.

M: Thin-medium bodied porter with a somewhat strange milky, acidity that makes it fairly drinkable, but not an ultimate quaffer.

O: A very interesting, colonial-style era English brown porter at 5% ABV. The use of corn, specialized brown malts and mostly British Golding hops makes 1776 a truly unique version of an English brown ale. The aroma is the most enjoyable part for me, wishing for a little more sweetness to balance out the more roasted an acidic qualities of the brew.

Dark brown liquid with 1 inch off white head. Almost muddy.
Brewer describes this as an "old rendition of a revolutionary era porter....with modified brown and amber malts...as well as cracked corn in the colonial fashion....small amounts of goldings hops...to replicate the low alpha local hops of the time."

Aroma is all nuts brought on by the malt...literally, with a hint of maple. Outstanding. No hops detected.
-hazelnut
-pecan
-macadamia
-roasted peanut
-roasted bavarian
-cashew
-walnut
-you name it...

Taste/mouthfeel enters a bit sharp. Mildly abrasive on the tongue, even chalky. Doesn't smooth out until half glass. I wish it was more velvet on the tongue and mouthfilling, but it's not. Let it warm in the glass a bit. This helps to round it out. Some nuttiness in flavor, but that is really locked up in the aroma. Very English, but not as soft as I had hoped based on the smell. Thin to moderate body and mouthfeel. Rather bitter and sharp for goldings hops. I like it though, and it is definitely drinkable, but it's just not all the way there for me. If it had a classic English body it would be way up there. Pour this into a snifter-type glass for the full aromatic effect, which is the best aspect of this beer.

Upon finishing the growler the second night, it seems to have rounded out some. Smoother. More drinkable, and I detect more nuttiness in the flavor. Good beer.